Parenteral fluid container and dispenser



btAHUH RUUM "flax-6h 1, 1949. J. E; MEAGHER PARENTERAL FLUID CONTAINERAND DISPENSER Filed Aug. 6, 1945 INVENTOR. dives 5. Mwamse;

Arrcwwzx Patented Mar. 1, 1949 SEARCH ROUM PARENTERAL FLUID CONTAINERAND DISPENSER James E. Meagher, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 6, 1945, Serial No. 609,286

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the handling, and administering of parenteralsolutions, a major object of the invention being to provide an apparatuswith which such solutions may be handled, transported and administeredwithout the danger of infection or undesirable reaction in the patient.

Parenteral solutions, for intravenous, intramuscular or other types ofinjections, are handled in containers of various types, and it iscustomary to separately procure the administration accessories,including tubing, hypodermic needle, and connections for applying thetubing to the container. It is also customary to use such administrationaccessories a number of times before they are discarded, and in manycases, the physician or hospital attendant assembles the administrationapparatus from parts separately obtained from various sources. Theprocess of disassembling, sterilizing and reassembling the parts of anadministration set not only requires great care and consumesconsiderable time, but may easily result in a failure to obtain fullclosure or sterilization of all parts.

Furthermore it is difiicult to attach an administration set to acontainer filled with parenteral solution and at the same time topreserve complete sterility of both the container and the administrationset. This is particularly true in view of the various types and sizes ofcontainers and the various types of administration sets that are used.

With the above problems and difliculties in mind, my invention has asits general object to eliminate these difficulties by the provision of aunitary package which includes both the solution container and theadministration set. A further object is to provide such a packagewherein the administration set and the container as a single unit areboth hermetically sealed against contamination.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined container andadministration apparatus embodying a vent tube which serves the dualfunction of admitting air into the container to replace the solutionbeing drawn therefrom, and also as a sheath for the hypodermic needle.

It is also an object of the invention to provide, in combination with acontainer, an administration set embodying a stopper for the containerwhich functions additionally as a storage compartment for theadministration set in the sealed package. A further and more detailedobject of the invention, in this connection is the provision of a sealedpackage wherein the storage compartment for the administration set iscontained within the container and thereby protected against damage inhandling and transportation, as well as giving the sealed package a moretrim appearance.

For the purpose of providing a clearer understandin of the features andoperation of my invention, I have described a preferred form thereof inthe ensuing specification which makes reference to the appendeddrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken axially through a combined containerand administration set embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;and

Figure 3 is a side elevation illustrating the apparatus in position foruse.

As an example of one form in Which the invention may be embodied, I haveshown in the drawings a combined parenteral solution container andadministration set which includes a container l0 and an administrationset which is indicated generally by the reference numeral l I. In thesealed package, the container I0 is filled with liquid l2 such as, forexample, a dextrose solution, and the administration set H includes astopper l3 which is received in the neck ll of the container. As shown,the container l0 comprise; a glass bottle.

The stopper I3 is shaped so as to provide therewithin a compartment I 5for the storage of an administering tube 16, a nipple l1, and the hub iiof a hypodermic needle I9. The stopper I3 includes a cylindrical wall20, which is fitted into the bottle neck l4, and an inner wall 2| whichforms a closure for the space within the bottle in which the solution I2is contained. The rim of the cylindrical wall 2U is provided with anoutwardly extending flange 22. A sealing ring 23, having a, flange 24overlapping the flange 22, and an inturned flange 24 engaged beneath ashoulder 25 on the neck I4, seals the stopper l3 in the neck of thebottle.

As a sealed package. ready for shipping, the container I0 is providedwith an outer cap 26 a mar inal portion of which is turned inwardly asat 21 into engagement with a bead 28 formed on the neck 14. Between theend wall 29 of the cap 26 and the flange 24 of the sealing ring 23 is asealing wafer 30 which seals the cap 26 against the flange 24, thussealing the entire package. The bead 28 is spaced from the shoulder 25to permit the separate application of the sealing ring 23 to the bottleneck.

The stopper I3 is preferably of a rubber or equivalent resilientmaterial, and the inner wall 2| thereof is provided with an opening 3|in which is mounted a reduced portion 32 of the nipple IT. The tube 16is attached to the outer end of the nipple H.

The stopper wall 2| is provided with a boss 2|a through which a venttube 33 extends which serves to admit air into the container whensolution is being drawn therefrom. The outer end of the tube 33 alsoserves as a sheath for the hypodermic needle I 9 in the sealed package,the

3 boss Zla being counterbored to provide a seat for the hub l8. The tubeI6 is attached to the needlliub I 8 and the intermediate region of thetube is packed in spiral folds 34, in the space between the nipple I!and the cylindrical wall 20 above the tube 33. Thus the administrationapsaid space within the container, mounted in said paratus is storedwithin the compartment I5 inner wall; and a cap attached to thecontainer. until it is ready for use, and is thereby completely forminga closure for sealing the container and protected against contamination.The tube I6 cooperating with said cup shaped closure to deis relativelythin-walled so that it may be readily fine a storage compa t e t s st ta y WhOIlY collapsed and folded into the restricted space pro- 10 Withins d Container t t is sealed a i st conid d for it, tamination and withinwhich said administering When the apparatus is to be used, the cap 26apparatus s packed until ready for u is removed and the hypodermicneedle is with- 3- pparatus for storing, transportin and drawn from thestorage compartment Is. The m nis rin p r r o uti ns. comprisin acontainer I 0 may then be hung in conventional Container having a mouth;a topp r of a cup fashion from a supporting device 35, and all thatshape including a lateral Wall received within said remains to be doneis to insert the hypodermic mouth, an inner Wall for Closing the p eWithneedle l9 and commence the administering opin the Container, a d aflange at its lip in eneration. It may be noted that in withdrawinggagement i the lip of the ottle mouth, said the hypodermic needle fromthe storage compart- Stopper thereby having a o p t ent formed ment IS,the only portion of the n em which therein substantially wholly withinsaid concan be initially grasped is the hub is, and that beiner; i e inpp s in l in a minthe needle itself and the interior passages of the DeXtehded through d mounted in said inner nipple l1 and tube is remainfully isolated from Wall Of the pp 3 x e ube att ed to contamination,and can be so maintained up to d Communicating ith said nipple andadapted the act of inserting th needle i t th patients to be folded in acollapsed condition within said body. Thus maximum protection againstinfec- Compartment of said rs n a hypo rmic tion of the patient isprovided. to the end of said tube, s in- Whe th d i t ti of t solutionis ner wall havin means for receiving said needle; pleted, theadministration set is removed from 80 and a Cap on said Containersealing t e m t the containe d di d d, T parts thereof, said capcooperating with said flange to ca ded may include th topper l3 as 11 asthe seal said compartment within said stopper and nipple l1, tube l6 andneedle l9, or may include thereby Provide a sealed Co p t ent for theonly the nipple, tube and needle. When the stop- Storage of Saidadministering pp tu per is to be discarded, it is removed from the partus r st tran p rt and dbottle by breaking the connection of the sealingring 23 with the bottle neck.

The relatively thin-walled tube I6 is light and inexpensive, and aninexpensive type of hypodermic needle is provided. The nipple I! whichis preferably of glass, can also be provided at a fairly low cost. Thusthe entire administration set can be supplied for a relatively small sumand this is conducive toward the discarding of this administration setwhen it has been used. The discarding of this apparatus is assured,however, by the fact that each filled container will come equipped witha new set of administration apparatus, and there will therefore be noreason to save the used set. The bottles of course will be sterilizedand refilled by the packer.

While the particular apparatus herein shown and described in detail isfully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantageshereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merelyillustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of my invention, andthat I do not mean to limit myself to the details of construction ordesign herein shown, other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for storing, transporting and administeringparenteralsolutions, comprising: a container having a mouth; a cup shaped stopperreceived in said mouth and having an inner wall for closing the spacewithin the container; administering apparatus including a connection to40 by a chamber substantially wholly Within said container is formed insaid stopper; administering means including a collapsible tube, ahypoderrnic needle attached to one end thereof and a connection betweenthe other end of said tube and the space within the container, saidconnection extending into the container, and a vent tube providing asheath for receiving said hypodermic needle; and a cap on said containersealing the mouth thereof, said cap cooperating with said chamber insaid stopper to provide a compartment in which said administeringapparatus is stored until ready for use.

5. Apparatus for storing, transporting and adminstering parenteralsolution, comprising: a container having a neck; a cup shaped stopperreceived within said neck and having an inner wall for closing the spacewithin the container; a cap including an annular wall surrounding atleast a portion of said container neck and attached thereto and an endwall covering the open end of 7 said stopper and cooperating with thestopper to define a storage compartment that is substantially allcontained within the neck of the container; and administering apparatusattached to the inner wall of the stopper and stored within saidcompartment until ready for use.

6. Apparatus for dispensing a parenteral solution from a containerthereof, comprising: a cup shaped stopper for the container, having acompartment therein adapted to extend substantially wholly within saidcontainer and including an inner wall adapted to separate saidcompartment from the space within said container; 9. collapsible tubeadapted to be folded within said com- OCH ilk/l1 partment; a nipplemounted in said inner wall for establishing communication between saidtube and thetspace within the container, the majority of said nipplebeing contained within said compartment; a hypodermic needle attached tothe other end of said tube; and a vent tube mounted in said inner walland adapted to form a sheath for receiving said hypodermic needle forstorage purposes.

7. Apparatus for dispensing a parenteral solution from a containerthereof, comprising: a cup shaped stopper providing an internal recessadapted to cooperate with a closure for the container to define astorage compartment disposed substantially wholly within said container;a flexible tube adapted to be received within said storage compartment;a hypodermic needle at tached to one end of said tube; and means forforming a connection between the other end of said tube, through saidstopper to the space within the container.

8. Apparatus for storing, transporting, and adminstering parenteralsolutions, which includes: a container having an open neck; a pair ofspaced annular flanges on the outer surface of said neck; a cup-shapedclosure member mounted within said neck to close said container, saidmember having a lateral wall fitting against the inner surface of saidneck, a transverse wall extending across the innermost end of saidmember, and an outwardly extending flange bearing against the outer endof said neck; an annular sealing member fitting over said closure memberand the outermost of said pair of spaced flanges, whereby said closuremember is held in said container to seal the latter but the centralcompartment of said cup-shaped closure is not closed by said sealingmember; an administering means mounted within said central compartmentand comprising a collapsible tube, a nipple attached to one end of saidtube and extending through said transverse wall into the space withinsaid container, a vent tube extending from a recess in said transversewall to a point in said container remote from said neck, and ahypodermic needle attached to the other end of said collapsible tube,said needle being inserted in said vent tube with the end of saidcollapsible tube being inserted in said recess to form a seal betweensaid collapsible tube and said transverse wall; and a cap extendingacross said annular sealing member and engaging the remaining flange ofsaid pair of spaced flanges to seal said central compartment of saidcup-shaped closure, whereby said apparatus may be sterilized while allof said sealing members are in place, and said apparatus may thereafterbe used without touching or otherwise destroying the sterility of saidneedle.

9. Apparatus for storing, transporting, and administering parenteralsolutions, which includes: a container having an open neck; a cup-shapedclosure member adapted to fit within said neck in sealing engagementtherewith, said member having a lateral wall fitting against the innersurface of said neck, and a transverse wall extending across theinnermost end of said member, said transverse wall having a pair ofholes extending therethrough to establish fluid connection to theinterior of said container; a vent tube mounted in one of said holes andextending from said transverse wall into said container, and extendingless than completely through said transverse wall; a nipple mounted inthe other of said holes to provide fluid connection from the interior ofsaid container into the central compartment of said cup-shaped closuremember; a flexible tube adapted to be contained within said centralcompartment, connected to the outer end of said nipple; and a hypodermicneedle mounted in the other end of said flexible tube and adapted to besheathed in said vent tube, said last-mentioned end of said flexibletube fitting into said first-mentioned hole in said transverse wall withsealing engagement; and a cap extending across said central compartmentand engaging said neck with a sealing fit, whereby said apparatus may besterilized in its assembled form, and said needle thereafter need not betouched until the instant of insertion into a patient.

10. Apparatus for storing, transporting, and administering parenteralsolutions, which includes: a container having an open neck; a, cupshapedclosure member mounted within said neck to close said container, saidmember having an outwardly opening central compartment therein; anannular sealing member fitting over said closure member to hold saidclosure member in sealing engagement with said container while leavingsaid central compartment open; an administering means mounted withinsaid central compartment and operatively connected to said container;and a cap extending across said annular sealing member to seal saidcentral compartment, whereby said apparatus may be sterilized while allof said sealing members are in place.

11. Apparatus for storing, transporting, and administering parenteralsolutions, which includes: a container having an open neck; a cupshapedclosure member held within said neck in sealing engagement therewith,said member having an outwardly opening central compartment therein; anadministering means mounted within said central compartment andcomprising a collapsible tube, a nipple attached to one end of said tubeand extending through the bottom wall of said cup-shaped closure memberinto the space within said container; a vent tube extending from arecess in said bottom wall to a point in said container remote from saidneck, and a hypodermic needle attached to the other end of saidcollapsible tube, said needle being inserted in said vent tube and theend of said collapsible tube being inserted in said recess to form aseal between said collapsible tube and said bottom wall; and a capextending across said central compartment and engaging the outer surfaceof said neck to seal said central compartment to said cupshaped closure,whereby said apparatus may be sterilized While all of said sealingmembers are in place, and said apparatus may thereafter be used withouttouching or otherwise destroying the sterility of said needle.

12. Apparatus for storing, transporting, and administering parenteralsolution, which includes: a container having an open neck; a cupshapedclosure member adapted to fit within said neck in sealing engagementtherewith, said member having a pair of holes extending through its endto establish fluid connection to the interior of said container; a venttube within said container and extending part way into one of saidholes; a nipple mounted in the other of said holes; a flexible tubeadapted to be contained within the central compartment of said closuremember, having one end attached to said nipple; a hypodermic needleattached to the other end of said flexible tube and adapted to besheathed in said vent tube, with the adjacent end of said flexible tubefitting into said first-mentioned hole with a sealing fit, whereby acompletely assembled administering means is contained within saidoefitral' compartment, and releasably seals said fluid connection to theinterior of said container; and a'cap engaging the outer surface of saidneck and closing said central compartment with a sealing fit, wherebysaid apparatus may be sterilized when in completely assembled form, andsaid sterility maintained until use.

13. Apparatus for storing, transporting, and administering parenteralsolutions, which includes: a container having an open neck; a cupshapedclosure member adapted to fit within said neck in sealing engagementtherewith to provide a central compartment substantially wholly withinsaid container, said member having a pair of holes extending through itsends to establish fluid connection to the interior of said container; avent tube mounted within one of said holes and extending into saidcontainer; a flexible tube adapted to be contained within said centralcompartment of said closure member, one end of said flexible tube beingfluid connected to the other of said holes; a hypodermic needle mountedon the other end of said flexible tube and adapted to be sheathed bysaid vent tube, said last mentioned end of said flexible tubeestablishing a sealing connection with said first-mentioned hole,whereby a completely assembled administering means is contained withinsaid central compartment, and releasably seals said fluid connections tothe interior of said container; and a cap engaging the outer surface ofsaid neck and closing said central compartment with a sealing fit,whereby said apparatus may be sterilized when in completely assembledform, and said sterility maintained until use.

14. Apparatus for dispensing a parenteral solution from a containertherefor, which includes: a cup-shaped closure member adapted to fitwithin the neck of said container in sealing engagement therewith, saidmember having a lateral wall fitting against the inner surface of saidneck, and a transverse wall extending across the innermost end of saidmember, said transverse wall having a pair of holes extendintherethrough to establish fluid connection to the interior of saidcontainer; a vent tube mounted in one of said holes and adapted toextend from said transverse wall into said container, and extending lessthan completely through said transverse wall; a nipple mounted in theother of said holes to provide fluid connection from the interior ofsaid container into the central compartment, connected to the outer endof said nipple; and a hypodermic needle mounted in the other end of saidflexible tube and adapted to be sheathed in said vent tube, saidlast-mentioned end of said flexible tube fitting into said firstmentioned hole in said transverse wall with sealing engagement wherebysaid apparatus may be sterilized in its assembled form, and said needlethereafter need not be touched until the instant of insertion into apatient.

15. Apparatus for dispensing a parenteral solution from a containertherefor, which includes: a cup-shaped closure member adapted to fitwithin the neck of said container in sealing engagement therewith toprovide a compartment within said closure member substantially whollywithin said container, said member having a pair of holes extendingthrough its end to establish fluid connection to the interior of saidcontainer; a vent tube mounted within one of said holes and extendinginto said container; a flexible tube adapted to be contained within saidcentral compartment of said closure member, one end of said flexibletube being fluid connected to the other of said holes; and a hypodermicneedle mounted on the other end of said flexible tube and adapted to besheathed by said vent tube, said last-mentioned end of said flexibletube establishing a sealing connection With said firstmentioned hole,whereby a completely assembled adminstering means is contained withinsaid central compartment, and releasably seals said fluid connections tothe interior of said container.

16. Apparatus for storing, transporting, and administering parenteralsolution which includes: a container, a closure for said containerhaving a compartment therein substantially wholly within said container;administering means within said compartment, connectable through saidclosure to the interior of said container; and sealing means closing theouter end of said compartment and removable to provide access to saidcompartment,

17. Apparatus for storing, transporting, and administering parenteralsolutions which includes: a container having an opening therein; aclosure fitted within said opening having an outwardly facingcompartment substantially wholly within said container; administeringmeans within said compartment, comprising a flexible tube, hypodermicneedle means connected to one of said tube, and means for establishing afluid connection through said closure, connected to the other end ofsaid tube; and removable disclike sealing means covering the open end ofsaid compartment.

18. Apparatus for storing, transporting, and administering parenteralsolutions which includes: a container having an opening therein; aclosure fitted within said opening to make a sealing fit therewith, saidclosure having an outwardly facing compartment that is substantiallywholly within said container; a vent tube extending from said closure toa point in said container remote from said closure; administering meanslocated within said compartment and comprising a folded flexible tube,hypodermic needle means connected to one end of said tube, and nipplemeans connected to the other end of said tube to establish a fluidconnection from the interior of said container, through said closure, tosaid tube; a removable, flat sealing member overlying said closure toseal said compartment; and means securing said sealing member againstaccidental removal from said closure.

JAMES E. MEAGHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of rel-lord in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,498,055 Martin et al June 17,1924 2,259,276 Swabacker Oct. 14, 1941 2,333,684 Schwab Nov. 9, 1943Certificate of Correction Patent N 0. 2,462,986.

March 1, 1949. JAMES E. MEAGHER It is hereby certified that errorsappear in the printed specification of the above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows:

Column 4, lines 54 and 55, claim 5, for admjnstering read administering;

column 8, line 36, claim 17, for the words one of read one end of; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with these correctionstherein that the same may conform to th Signed and sealed this 6 erecord of the case in the Patent Oflice. th day of September, A. D.1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'asioner of Patents.

